Sometimes these ponderings will be from Caunes, and sometimes from Yorkshire.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Back in touch

Facing major surgery as the start of what hopefully was going
to be curative treatment for cancer, I kept one thing in mind.

Post operative pain relief has developed quite a way since
my appendix operation in 1964.

The infamous PCAs ......patient controlled analgesia, means
that patients can give themselves doses of morphine as and when they need it,
without any risk of overdose. If there was one thing that I was “looking
forward to” about the surgery, it was being able to give myself morphine.....
it seemed so outrageous, even illegal....but perhaps a slither of a silver
lining to this cloud of being ill.

So.... there I was, lying on my amazingly modern electric
profile bed, hooked up to various clearly life supporting fluids..... and I
reached for my PCAs button..... I found the profile bed remote control, the TV
remote control, the emergency button to call a nurse and the light switch......
but no PCAs control. I could see the PCAs machine, with its tube of morphine
locked in place..... where was the button ??????

I pressed the button to call a nurse.... and she explained
that I had been very sensitive to the morphine administered during the
operation, and had spent a long time in the recovery room.....recovering. So,
the bottom line was that I couldn’t have any more morphine. My blood pressure
and oxygen levels were very low.....so......no more morphine ! They did give me
something slightly stronger than paracetemol, but nothing really exotic or
exciting.

So, there it was....my silver lining.....removed.

Hospital band : "Mad reaction to morphine in surgery".....Mad ??????

Since then ( my "successful" surgery was actually 3 weeks ago today), I have made a good post op recovery, discharged after 3 days, but then a few days later, readmitted to hospital with a probable infection. 6 days later, I was discharged again, and this time, I am really making progress.

Being admitted to the ward I used to work on was fascinating. I always had incredible respect for the nursing team on "my" ward, but being on the receiving end of their skills and care was something out of this world. They are an amazing team of professionals, I could not have wished for better care. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and their ability to make me feel safe ( and pampered) was wonderful.

dont you just love those pressure socks?

So, now, I am home, preparing to start chemotherapy at the end of next week. I am feeling stronger every day. I can now concentrate on a crochet pattern, visitors' conversations, TV programmes which last more than 25 minutes, novels that are slightly more stretching than the latest Jodi Picoult.....and catching up on blogs I have missed, or skated through during the last few weeks. I also, cant wait to blog about something other than being ill.

I am planning a blog about my "less than loopy" grandmother, as opposed to my "loopy" grandmother, and intend to fill my days with things that do not neccessarily revolve around cancer.

Alice Ellen, my not so loopy grandmother.

Basically, I feel as if I am back. I have missed blogging, but have been thrilled to have received so much support from blogging friends. So thankyou all, and I'll be dropping in to see what is happening in your worlds regularly from now on.

31 comments:

I am absolutely delighted to be reading this Janice because you sound so much more upbeat. I have been thinking about you every day and hoping that things were progressing well. Onwards and upwards. Lots of Love xxx

GREAT to have you back, Janice.Can't wait to read what you have in store for us.Take care and hope the chemotherapy goes well.Thinking of youGaynor xPS Please can you email me as I lost your address when Outlook crashed?

Hi Gaynor, thanks for your good wishes... I cant find your email address either.....dont know if its a glitch, or just my uselessness! My email is janwhud@aol.com I'll leave it here for a while, and then take it down, last time I put it up, I started to get some strange emails ! Fondest wishes Jx

Dear Janice - you have been in my thoughts and so pleased that you are now getting stronger day by day.What a strange use of the word mad - I wonder whatever you got up to whilst in the recovery room?Glad that you are back with us again Janice, but take it slowly and give yourself time - take care♥

I feel for you being deprived of morphine post-op, Janice. You must get them to tell you what your 'mad' reaction was! Sounds a very quick progression onto chemo so glad you're feeling stronger and better again - will be sending you lots of positive thoughts, vibes and virtual hugs. Take care - hope it's not raining too hard where you are. You deserve some nice, bright and sunny late autumn days now. Much loveAxxx

The rain seems to have stopped for a while, and I've just managed a wander round Hebden Bridge..... hair all being cut off tomorrow, in preparation for the chemo. I am really feeling so much better, but would also love to know exactly how mad I was on the morphine. Love Janice x

How lovely to see a new post from you, Janice, and one with such good news of real progress after your setback. I'm glad you had such good care from your former colleagues on the ward, which must have made those awful pressure socks more bearable. :-) Now just the hurdle of chemo to get over. I have everything crossed that it will go smoothly and well for you.

Janice, it is wonderful to see you are able to blog again. I've been wondering how things were going and it does sound as if you are doing very well. I'm certainly impressed with your positive attitude and looking forward to hearing about that grandmother!

H Janice.....I was so happy to see a new post from you. You were in my thoughts all the time and I was wondering how you were doing????? But so sorry that you had a slight setback. It was tremendously good that you stayed in the hospital in a familiar place, which I think probably made it easier for you.Will keep you in my prayers and now you will be on your last journey and hope that everything goes very smoothly and fast.Love your photo of your not so loopy Grandmother.....take care XXXXOOOO

Oh, I'm very glad to see a new post from you, Janice! Pity about the infection, but apart from that it sounds as if things are going well. Starting chemo so soon suggests you've got your strength back really quickly. I hope the chemo goes as well as it can do.

Welcome back, Janice. It was nice to see your comment the other day, and nice yet to see your post.

Sorry the morphine didn't work for you. Mad or mod - it is a relief to be on the other side of surgery, gaining strength, being able to stay on track. That was so frustrating for me after surgery (though I shan't complain as the drip worked well for me).

I love your attitude and wish you well as you continue on in recovery mode. Bless you.

The most logical explanation would be med reaction to morphine?! How ironic to be on your own old familiar ward, life is weird sometimes. So glad you are feeling better. Will you see the light parade on Sat? I've been reading about it and wish I could be there to see it myself, so Hebden Bridge!Best wishes.... Jillx

Jill, I have just come back from the Valley Light parade in Hebden Bridge. The handmade lanterns were wonderful, the canal boats looked fabulous and the brass band and drummers were just incredible. It was one of those happenings where everyone had a huge smile on their face. I am so pleased I felt well enough to wander into town, and be part of it all. Jx

That sounds like an excellent idea.....the Stubbings is about 200 yards from our house, and I've just realised that having walked into and around town last night, a 400 yd round trip, to the pub is well within my capabilities ! Best wishes Janice x

About Me

In September 2011 after years of staring longingly in French estate agency windows ..... we finally bought a house 20 minutes drive from Carcassonne, intending to divide our lives between Hebden Bridge and Caunes Minervois. Things haven't worked out quite as we imagined, as I was diagnosed with cancer last October. Following surgery and follow up treatment we are now working hard on my recovery, and are spending time in the two places we love.... Caunes Minervois and Hebden Bridge